Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce faces a serious battle to retain the services of French stopper Steve Mandanda if reports from France are to be believed.
News broke last week detailing a meeting between Marseille Sporting Director Andoni Zubizarreta and Mandanda regarding a potential return. France Football say the 31-year-old would be open to a return.
Fresh reports have since surfaced – from French source Nice-Matin – revealing OGC Nice’s interest in signing Mandanda this window. The Ligue 1 side had hoped to be successful in an ambitious bid to sign Salvatore Sirigu – currently on loan at Sevilla – but PSG’s response was negative.
Whether Palace would be open to Mandanda departing this window is not yet clear, but losing a goalkeeper of Mandanda’s ilk without adequate replacement could prove costly.
The Eagles have won just one of the eleven games since Mandanda was sidelined through injury and now sit two points adrift from safety.
